U.S. farmers drained all available government agricultural loan money this past fiscal year to get through one of the worst agricultural downturns in recent years, but no one who qualifies for a farm loan will be denied in the next four months due to an unusual provision passed this month by Congress.

Despite acknowledging a legacy of discrimination, the Department of Agriculture is still plagued by civil rights problems that have in the past led to unequal treatment of minorities seeking loans and other help, according to a government-commissioned report.

The total number of acres planted to peanuts in the state this year has jumped by at least 33 percent over last year, Oklahoma Peanut Commission spokesman Mike Kubicek said. And as peanuts gain ground on their lost heritage – they were once the most profitable spring-planted crop in the state – a new peanut variety developed in part by Oklahoma State University scientists is scheduled to be introduced at the upcoming peanut pre-harvest festival Sept. 23.